Video Management System

Pelco by Schneider Electric, the trusted global provider of end-to-end video security solutions, will be exhibiting products, solutions, and services for several market segment applications at ISC West 2019, held in Las Vegas from April 10-12.
Pelco is shaping the future with leading technologies such as Cloud Services, Automatic License Plate Recognition, 4K imaging capability, and advanced deep learning-based analytics. Pelco will showcase VideoXpert Video Management System (VMS) platform enh...

Wavestore, developer of highly secure and open platform Video Management Software (VMS) solutions, will be hosted by three of its technology partners at ISC West, which is taking place at the Sands Expo, Las Vegas on 10th -12th April 2019.
Visitors to the Feenics, Mobotix and Raytec booths will have the opportunity to see how easy it is to benefit from a fully integrated security system with Wavestore at its heart.
Wavestore VMS Solution
As a truly independent company, Wavestore focuses solel...

ISC West, the largest converged security event in the U.S., introduces the lineup for its 2019 education sessions, in collaboration with premier sponsor the Security Industry Association (SIA).
In partnership with SIA, ISC West will be making educational sessions available during its 2019 ISC West show taking place April 9-12, 2019 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, with SIA Education@ISC kicking off the day prior to the exhibition on April 9. The comprehensive program includes 85+ accredi...

PSA, a consortium of professional systems integrators, announced that Dan Dunkel has joined PSA as Managing Director of PSA's Managed Security Service Provider Program. In this role, Dunkel will recruit solution providers to become part of PSA's newly created Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) program and develop go-to-market strategies and ongoing programs to increase program adoption within PSA's network of systems integrators.
PSA's MSSP program is designed to help systems integrators...

OnSSI announces the launch of Ocularis 5.7, the latest release of the company’s industry leading Video Management System (VMS) solution. Key featured enhancements of Ocularis 5.7 include a new Recorded Video Backup function that allows recorded video to be saved to a secondary location on the system at no extra cost.
Additionally, the new Mirrored Recordings feature, available in Ocularis 5.7 Ultimate, allows the simultaneous recording of all cameras on two recording servers, ensuring tha...

News

ISS - Intelligent Security Systems – has pragmatically engineered a unique position in the Video Management System (VMS) category driven by the company’s documented innovations in analytics.
The combination of ISS’ powerful SecurOS VMS with numerous natively developed analytics solutions provides users across a multitude of business categories and applications with unique capabilities. This unique level of embedded system intelligence continues to be validated by multiple patents awarded to ISS for advanced analytics.
Integrating Analytics And SecurOS VMS
“ISS has taken a unique approach to VMS system development by seamlessly integrating our exclusive analytics and innovative SecurOS VMS platform to deliver solutions that resolve users’ longstanding and emerging needs,” said Aluisio Figueiredo, CEO of Intelligent Security Systems.
“This unique combination of VMS and analytics expertise not only detects and documents events, it provides the rich data necessary to analyze what may otherwise be perceived as disparate events, so management can be alerted to impending threats, abnormalities or policy/municipal violations. At ISS, we refer to it as ‘intelligent video defined.’”
Patents Awarded To ISS For Analytics Innovations:
Systems and methods for recognizing symbols in images for LPR/ANPR applications– methods or arrangements for reading or recognizing printed or written characters or for recognizing patterns, e.g. fingerprints using printed characters having additional code marks or containing code marks, e.g. the character being composed of individual strokes of different shape, each representing a different code value.
Systems and methods for evaluating readings of gauge dial
Systems and methods for recognizing symbols
Systems and methods for dewarping images – interpolation-based scaling, e.g. bilinear interpolation
Systems and methods for dewarping images – panospheric to cylindrical image transformation

Tiandy Technologies, a supplier versatile surveillance solutions catering to customers from enterprise data entry level is pleased to announce the integration with the next generation artificial intelligence video search platform provider IronYun.
The partnership with IronYun brings deep learning technology to Tiandy's IP video surveillance solutions. IronYun's Video Search Platform makes it quick and easy to identify objects of interest from hours of video data.
Peerless Integration Opportunities
The video search engine can be customized to easily scale and integrate with existing VMS in various applications, creating peerless integration opportunities for system integrators to build enterprise class solutions.
We bring you speed and adaptability to security while helping customers quickly analyze video data using AI technology"
"IronYun's AI on-premise and VSaaS cloud solutions on the result of over 300 man years of R&D effort, working hand in hand with the world's top research universities and R&D centers," said Paul Sun, Chief Executive Officer of IronYun. "We bring you speed and adaptability to security while helping customers quickly analyze video data using AI technology. Our video search engine is intuitive and based on easy-to-use natural language interface. The open architecture technology makes it easy to integrate our search engine with hard and software solutions from world's leading IP surveillance manufacturers such as Tiandy Technologies."
Interesting Integration Opportunities
"IronYun's platform utilizes deep learning algorithms to allow customers to search for specific videos using keywords via an intelligent video search engine. Search tasks through terabytes of that took hours before can now be completed in seconds," said John van den Elzen, General Manager EMEA, TIANDY Technologies.
Van den Elzen continued, "This opens a broad range of interesting integration opportunities with the Tiandy IP solutions portfolio in large-scale video generating security projects like airports and safe cities. We are always in search for innovative solutions that can strengthen our own offerings and the IronYun video search platform is unique of its kind."

Matrix Comsec, a manufacturer and provider of security and telecom solutions, is participating in ISC WEST 2019, Las Vegas, USA on 10th April 2019. Matrix will be showcasing its comprehensive range of IP video surveillance, people mobility management - an innovative range of access control and time-attendance solutions at the event. Both these solutions are specifically designed for large and multi-location enterprises, SME and SMB organizations.
Matrix is known for offering technology driven, innovative, futuristic solutions catering to diverse and complex deployments especially for the SMB, SME and Large Enterprises. Matrix Comsec is going to unveil COSEC ARGO – The Next Generation Door Controller with a blend of performance and aesthetics. The new door controller is equipped with features like 3.5” IPS Touchscreen LCD with Gorilla Glass, Powerful Processor for Ultra-fast User identification, Intuitive User Experience, Vandal Resistant (IK08).
Matrix SATATYA is an IP video surveillance solutions portfolio which includes NVRs, IP cameras and centralized video management system
Cloud-Based Time-Attendance Solution
In people mobility management - access control and time-attendance domain, they have launched COSEC VYOM – a scalable, cloud based time-attendance and access control solution. In addition, few more controllers and devices with new generation identification technologies are in the pipeline. The solution also includes COSEC ARC - a unique IP based access control panel having multiple benefits over conventional access control panel. Being PoE based, it eliminates complex wiring and local power requirements.
Matrix SATATYA is an IP video surveillance solutions portfolio which includes network video recorders (NVRs), IP cameras and centralized video management system. Matrix SATATYA is positioned as an enterprise grade solution.
IP Cameras With STARVIS Sensors
Matrix Comsec will showcase Professional Series IP cameras powered with SONY STARVIS series sensors and EXMOR technologyMatrix Comsec will showcase Professional Series IP cameras powered with SONY STARVIS series sensors and EXMOR technology. This technology provides the camera an edge over others in terms of exceptional low light performance, consistent image quality during varying light conditions (True WDR), better bandwidth optimization and various other features. It is most suitable for enterprises demanding much more than just video capturing, viewing and recording.
Matrix SATATYA offers centralized video surveillance with add-on applications such as Command & Control, Parking Management, Weighbridge Integration and Cognitive Response Engine. SATATYA’s flexible architecture and vast range of functions-features are designed to cater diverse industries including BFSI, retail, services, hospitality, manufacturing, transport, ports & logistics, research laboratories, data centers, defense and government.
Talk to Matrix's solution experts to know more about these unique solutions by visiting Matrix at Booth No. 7038 on 10th April 2019, at ISC West 2019.

ISS – Intelligent Security Systems, a global provider of intelligent Video Management Systems (VMS) solutions with natively developed analytics, announces the launch of a new Partner Portal. The new secure Partner Portal, ISS One, is designed to help increase ISS partners’ sales and profitability with enhanced support services.
ISS One allows authorized channel partners to be part of a select group of professionals offering ISS’ industry-leading SecurOS Video Management System (VMS) and portfolio of intelligent analytics.
Combining VMS And Analytics Solutions
The new ISS Partner Portal provides registered partners with numerous benefits including: a support ticketing platform“ISS continues to experience exponential growth world-wide, and we attribute this to offering the best combination of advanced VMS and analytics solutions along with outstanding support for our partners,” said Aluisio Figueiredo, CEO of ISS.
“ISS continues to enhance both our technology offerings and partner support programs so that our growing roster of partners can cultivate and capitalize on new sales opportunities with existing and new customers.”
The new ISS Partner Portal provides registered partners with numerous benefits including: a support ticketing platform; ability to register installed systems for quicker support; a download center for quick access to all SecurOS technical and sales documentation; access to the latest SecurOS release announcements; company’s extensive knowledge base; details on the SecurOS Guarantee; and 5GB of personal cloud storage for resellers to store project related documents.

LENSEC is adding to their regional management team around the globe. Below are a few of the professionals covering relationships with partners and manufacturer reps. LENSEC's staff is comprised of physical security experts who interface with partners and their customers. They bring solid expertise in security deployment solutions using Perspective VMS.
Integrated Security And Asset Protection Bob has extensive experience in building channel partners for security and asset protection hardware and software for many notable companies
Bob Brown is LENSEC's Regional Sales Manager in the Midwestern United States. Bob has over 20 years of physical security experience. He has worked in sales and account management for numerous integrated security and life safety companies. Bob also has extensive experience in building channel partners for security and asset protection hardware and software for many notable companies. A native of Central Ohio, Bob recently relocate to the Knoxville, Tennessee area with his family.
Mike Deakes is LENSEC's Regional Sales Manager for the South-Central United States. He has a strong sales background in the government marketplace, with a focus on life safety, law enforcement, industrial, K-12 education, higher education, and healthcare. Mike was previously with LENSEC and is back with the company again, serving his territory from Austin, TX.
Networking And Physical Security Solutions
Rabih Farah is the LENSEC Channel Partner Manager in Saudi Arabia. Rabih is an IT expert specialized in networking and physical security solutions. He has been working with IT integrators and vendors since 2005 and joined LENSEC last year. He graduated with his BE in computer and communications from Notre Dame University-Louaize in Lebanon. Rabih manages LENSEC partners in the Middle East and other global regions.
Neil Haley has recently joined LENSEC as an Inside Sales Representative. He is based in Pittsburgh, PA. and has a 20-year background in sales, working with customers in media, education, and security. Neil has his Master of Education from Duquesne University. As a former teacher who taught elementary and secondary education in Pennsylvania, Neil has an expertise in the education market. In addition, Neil is a digital marketing expert, helping people develop more presence on the internet and social media platforms.
Cloud-Based Video Recording And Surveillance
Michael Trask manages the Northeast region of the United States for LENSEC
Michael Trask manages the Northeast region of the United States for LENSEC. His focus is on partnership development and channel sales. Prior to joining LENSEC in 2018, Michael served as the national sales manager for a continuous cloud-based recording surveillance company and a regional sales manager for a surveillance and loss prevention company. Michael is based in Pittsburgh, PA.
Mostafa Kashtan is LENSEC's Business Development Director in the Middle East and global regions. He graduated with a computer engineering degree from Beirut Arab University in Lebanon in 2006. Mostafa also has his MBA from Hult International Business School. An entrepreneur by nature, Mostafa likes the challenges in business situation, and he's passionate about innovation in business development. Based in Saudi Arabia, Mostafa has represented LENSEC for over 5 years, developing customer relationships and establishing new business with partners and their customers.
Security Deployment Solutions
Heather Wolf recently joined LENSEC as the Regional Sales Manager in the Southeast United Sates. Heather is dedicated to the principles of quality and strives for continuous improvement in customer satisfaction. She has a strong background in Life Safety, K-12, Higher Education, Health, and Construction. Heather is a native Floridian. She is looking forward to continuing mutually successful relationships with LENSEC's existing partners and creating the same with new partners in the Southeast territory.
Of course, LENSEC has an active support staff and sales engineers that do plenty of work with our partners and customers as well. These skilled professionals have a significant amount of cumulative expertise they lend to partners daily.

Pivot3, a provider of intelligent infrastructure solutions, has completed an advanced certification of its hyperconverged infrastructure with Genetec Security Center software. The combination of Pivot3 and the Genetec unified security platform delivers a robust integrated security and IoT solution designed to support the complex requirements of video-intensive, mission-critical environments. Additionally, Pivot3’s certified intelligent infrastructure provides three times the performance over its previous certification.
Pivot3’s intelligent infrastructure is optimized to deliver the performance, resilience, scalability and ease-of-use required for enterprise-class security, video surveillance and IoT deployments to Genetec video management system customers.
Eliminating System Downtime
The certification process ensures the companies’ combined solutions provide the advanced tools and high availability organizations require to streamline mission-critical video, security management and storage by hosting Genetec Security Center and additional applications on a single secure, resilient and scalable platform.
Pivot3’s high-performance, ultra-dense, highly resilient technologies reduce risk and cost by eliminating system downtime
“We are pleased to welcome Pivot3 into our partnership program,” said Georges Tannous, Director of Strategic Alliances, Genetec Inc. “Our joint customers and integration partners can benefit from this certification by trusting in the fact that our combined solutions deliver the performance and resilience required to meet their demanding implementations.” Pivot3’s high-performance, ultra-dense, highly resilient technologies reduce risk and cost by eliminating system downtime and data loss and simplifying management at scale.
Additional Applications
With Pivot3, organizations can consolidate video surveillance and all additional applications onto a common infrastructure platform, reducing the need to purchase and manage extra hardware and delivering enterprise-class resilience and performance to the entire application suite.
“The combination of Genetec and Pivot3 delivers robust infrastructure designed to meet the demanding needs of complex security and IoT environments,” said Brandon Reich, vice president of security and IoT, Pivot3. “Genetec is a leader in providing organizations with the insight and awareness necessary to ensure high levels of security, and we embrace the opportunity for continued collaboration to ensure our customers' applications and data are properly captured, protected and readily available when needed.”

Expert commentary

The access control industry tends to be more conservative when it comes to the adoption of new technology and services for end users, but that doesn't mean that 2019 won't provide a significant amount of progress through emerging trends taking shape in the industry.
In addition to the increased adoption and acceptance of the cloud, mobile credentials and biometrics are becoming more mainstream, and integrations between manufacturers will take centre stage. Here, we take a look at these and other trends helping to shape the coming year.
Cloud-Based Products
We're continuing to see a demand by end-user customers for customized responses to certain actions within an access control system
For many access control manufacturers, the core of the business is in more traditional products, with a high percentage of installs continuing to be these kinds of projects. However, over the last couple of years, cloud-based products have emerged as a viable option for customers.
We've seen more of a willingness for end-user customers to inquire whether this is an option for them, citing ease of use, remote management, cybersecurity and more as part of their foray into this branch of access control. The cloud has established its reputation as being quicker to install, more flexible for customers to access and manage both their access points as well as the video associated with these doors, and placing less pressure on internal (or in some cases, non-existent) IT teams to help set up and manage an access control system.
Mobile Credentials Applications
We're continuing to see a demand by end-user customers for customized responses to certain actions within an access control system. For example, if there's an alarm set off during the day along a perimeter, the ability to automatically execute a lockdown and simultaneous email or message to everyone within the building alerting them to the issue is critical.
The desire for this kind of flexibility within a system is prompting manufacturers to build new simple to use graphical tools into their systems that allow customized action responses that are proportional to the level of alarm. There's a strong desire by many of today's companies to be able to use mobile phones for access control and as such, manufacturers are either developing their own mobile credentials applications or integrating their systems with these kinds of products.
Over the last couple of years, cloud-based products have emerged as a viable option for customers
Future Of Biometrics
As companies start to ask about whether their facilities are safe enough, they're often more willing to consider access control that takes security to a new level, such as the implementation of biometric readers. Biometrics is getting more usage in professional security applications and many customers want to move away from using physical cards for access control.
Manufacturers that don't currently have biometric hardware in place are starting to integrate with readers designed to offer this functionality in an effort to meet the demands of customers. The dramatic rise in facial recognition biometrics is something that will likely shape the future of biometrics as costs start to decrease. While the access control industry is highly fragmented, we're seeing a trend toward increased partnerships and open-platform technology that helps end users achieve the kind of comprehensive security that they desire.
Video Management Platforms
We're seeing a trend toward increased partnerships and open-platform technology that helps end users achieve the kind of comprehensive security that they desire For example, there are a number of access control providers that are providing paths toward full integration with lock manufacturers and vice versa in an effort to meet the needs of clients who may have purchased locks but a high powered access control system to properly manage them.
There's also a large shift toward full integration with video management platforms and access control systems to fully integrate the two into a single, user-friendly experience and give end users more control over both. Additionally, manufacturers are looking to provide customers with a single system that meets the needs they have with regards to video, intrusion and access control. Right now, I don't think there's a system that can fully deliver on the promise of being exceptional at all three, so integrations and partnerships remain important to achieve that end goal.
Access Control World
An increasing number of end users are realising the holes in the current Wiegand protocols that have been in place since the 1980s, along with the large number of ‘off the shelf’ equipment that's now available to allow outsiders access through readers that operate under these protocols.
As a result, in the last decade or so, OSDP has come onto the scene and is growing in popularity. One of the most important steps for access control manufacturers in 2019 will be to listen to customers who are concerned with this vulnerability and work toward fully supporting OSDP in an effort to protect these access control systems.
It's an exciting time to be a part of the access control world, as we finally see results from all of the hype centred around the cloud, biometrics, mobile credentials, hacking protection and strong partnerships come to fruition. As 2019 begins, look for these trends to grow in popularity and for manufacturers to really listen to the end-user customer they serve and respond in kind.

There’s almost no installation that goes 100-percent smoothly in the field of video surveillance. Unexpected issues routinely arise that can increase time on the job, cost of the project and frustration. Manufacturers work on the product side to help ensure their products are easy to install and – when troublesome situations do arise – are flexible enough for installers to quickly find a remedy.
Importance Of Ease Of InstallationEase of installation is a very important part of the project to the system integrator because the cost of labor is variable
Ease of installation is a very important part of the project to the system integrator because the cost of labor is variable and can be very expensive. In some cases, the cost of labor to install a camera can be more than the cost of the camera! If labor costs are high – or are more expensive than a system integrator planned – they can lose a great deal of money on a project.
If a cautious system integrator includes too high of an estimate for labor in a project bid, his overall bid will to high and it could cost him the project. The easier the camera is to install, the lower the labor cost, subsequently achieving higher savings for end-users. Hence it is essential that camera manufacturers develop products that are easy to install or are flexible in the field for system integrators and installers who know that time is money.
Enterprise projects can involve thousands of cameras installed
Simplifying Installation Of Cameras
Camera installation typically involves an electrician, the camera installer and the person who configures the VMS (Video Management Software). Of course, one person can play all three roles, and in many cases, does, but enterprise projects can involve dozens, hundreds or even thousands of cameras with teams of individuals involved in an installation.
The electrician runs conduit with an electrical or PoE (Power over Ethernet) connection to the housing or the backplate of the camera; the installer then installs the camera at that location, hooking it up to power; and then a configurator adds cameras to the network and makes adjustments – renaming the camera, setting the frame rate, enabling WDR (Wide Dynamic Range), and the like.
When it’s a project that involves different players for any of these functions, there is the potential for a bottleneck and delay in project completion. And if a system integrator is paying an electrician, installer and software configurator – and they are all three on site waiting for each other to finish – that’s a system integrator’s worst-case scenario.
Enhancement Through Modular Cameras
Video surveillance camera manufacturers like Hanwha Techwin are producing products that take different roles
Video surveillance camera manufacturers like Hanwha Techwin are producing products that take the different roles of electrician, installer and configurator into consideration, allowing them to complete their tasks independently. With a focus on modular design which includes a USB Dongle, a device manager, magnetic module and included accessories, the Wisenet X series Plus is one of the fastest cameras to install, service and upgrade – saving installers time and money.
Wisenet X series Plus cameras have a detachable camera module that utilize magnets to lock into the housing for instant configuration. Electricians can run conduit with a single PoE connection to the back plate/housing while the configurator is working on configuring the camera module, allowing security professionals to later snap the camera into place in just minutes. The VMS configurator can then come and add the cameras to the network and program their functionality.
Modular Cameras Offer Flexibility
In the past, an end user might determine after the camera is installed that there aren’t enough pixels on target, or they need certain different functions like video analytics for example, resulting in the time-consuming replacement of the entire camera.
With modular-designed cameras, the camera module can be swapped with a new one without having to focus or replace the camera – even to change the resolution or field of view, also Wisenet X series Plus has optional PTRZ modules that can be remotely adjusted to the field of view and the position of the camera lens.
Making camera adjustments in the field is also now easier and perhaps even safer. Installers have been known to climb a ladder and juggle a bulky laptop to access the network to be able to see video of how the camera is positioned. Or they’ve had to use analog video output to view the video feed on a separate monitor which provides the field of view, but not megapixel quality. Using a smartphone, the installer can wirelessly see full and not cropped quality video directly from the camera
Wisenet X series Plus cameras have a USB port that allows installers to connect it to a small dongle that converts the camera to a Wi-Fi device. Using a smartphone, the installer can wirelessly see full and not cropped quality video directly from the camera.
It’s a much easier way to evaluate video while at the camera. Eliminating the second person looking at live view on a computer guiding through a cellphone to the installer to accurately point the camera to the proper position.
If system integrators can do some of the legwork prior to even getting on site, it can reduce cost and improve efficiency. Imagine having 300 cameras ready to send to a project site. To configure those cameras, a system integrator has to take each camera out of the box, plug each into a switch, configure it, take it off of the switch and put it back in the box.
To improve this process, camera manufacturers have now developed packaging that provides access to the camera port without even having to remove it from the box. It’s an innovative solution that saves time.
Modular cameras have optional PTRZ modules that can be remotely adjusted to the field of view
Software Programs Help In Enhancing Installation
Whether it’s a one-man show or a team of electricians, installers and configurators, software programs can greatly enhance the installation process. Device managers are important tools in adding multiple cameras to a project. Using that 300-camera project, for example, it’s easier when a manufacturer has a device manager that allows the mass programming and configuration of cameras.
Adding 300 cameras one by one is time consuming and leaves room for error when making so many multiple entries. A device manager should be able to scan the network and locate its devices, allowing them to be grouped, configured and much more.
Every video surveillance camera project is going to have its ups and downs. But camera manufacturers can do their part in the production process to address the many issues known to slow down progress. It’s impressive that many are taking the lead in producing innovations like modular camera design, flexibility in the field and accessible packaging that can truly reduce installation cost and improve efficiency.

For those of you old enough to remember, video matrix switchers were once the heyday of surveillance camera control. These cumbersome antiques were at the heart of every major video surveillance system (video surveillance at the time) in premier gaming properties, government installations and corporate industrial complexes. They required more physical labor to construct and configure than perhaps the pyramids – maybe not – but you get the picture.
And then digital video made its way in to the market and everything changed, transforming the physical demands for camera control and management from a hardware-centric to a software driven process. We’ve come a long way in a few short years, and the borders that once defined IT and security continue to diminish, if not disappear completely
There’s no doubt that this migration also presented significant challenges as many security professionals often struggled with all things IT and software programming being one of the industry’s soft spots. Fortunately, we’ve come a long way in a few short years, and the borders that once defined IT and security continue to diminish, if not disappear completely.
However, the complexities of today’s VMS functionality can be intimidating for anyone tasked with installing one of these systems given all of the user-defined options available from the simplest camera sequencing and bandwidth allocations to mobile management and enterprise level integration.
This is where truly advanced VMS solutions need to shine on both the operations and the design/build sides of the equation.
Smart VMS Design
There are more solutions products labelled “VMS solutions” out there than ever before. The issue is the fact that many of these “solutions” really don’t fall into the category of a true VMS by today’s standards but offer basic camera and NVR control. No doubt that there is a place for such software programs in the market.
However, VMS solutions from the likes of OnSSI and other industry-leading companies offer distinct and superior management and control capabilities for demanding security and business intelligence applications. Perhaps of equal importance, these top-tier VMS solutions incorporate provisions for installers, so they have a clear and easier implementation path.
OnSSI offers VMS solutions with smart camera drivers
Here are seven attributes that can assist with the design and implementation of an advanced VMS solution:
1) Open Architecture Platform
We need the ability to easily integrate with other systems and scale for future developments and physical system growth
The ability to easily integrate with other systems and scale for future developments and physical system growth is largely dependent on a systems platform architecture. Here’s where VMS solutions with open architecture provide a distinct advantage.
Open-architecture solutions expand functionality by facilitating greater integration between multiple systems and components. This not only makes VMS solutions with open architecture easier to implement, it makes them extremely cost-efficient by eliminating the need for proprietary solutions.
Open architecture systems also provide adherence to industry standards such as ONVIF and PSIA, as well as compression formats such as H.265 and MJPEG, and help ensure system integration and support of an extensive range of manufacturers’ cameras and off-the-shelf hardware. Be wary of VMS solutions with limited camera manufacturer support.
2) Simple Licensing Processes And Pricing
Camera licenses and pricing is always a touchy subject, as any misunderstanding of a specific VMS solutions’ licensing terms can prove to be costly after the fact. And it often seems that some VMS suppliers have gone to great lengths to complicate the process as to obscure actual Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
Perhaps the most direct, simple and straightforward camera licensing and pricing method is to have one license per IP address used by each camera/encoder on multi-channel devices. These should be perpetual licenses with no required annual fees or subscriptions.
Additionally, the licensing agreement should be all inclusive without added fees for multiple clients, failover servers, active directory support, I/O devices, redundant management servers, technical support or security patches and updates.
3) Mixing And Matching Camera License Types
The ability to mix and match different camera license types within the same system helps facilitate a seamless and simple migration of new and pre-existing systems with minimal downtime or interruption in operation. The ability to mix and match camera licenses not only saves valuable design and installation time, it can provide considerable savings when integrating large, multi-tenant systems.
Mix and match capabilities also allow system designers to apply specific feature sets to specific groups of cameras to best leverage functionality and budgets, as well as providing the flexibility to implement an on-site, virtual, or cloud-based VMS solution, without any additional cost.
4) Auto Camera Detection And Configuration
Another VMS set-up feature that eases the install process is the ability to forego device registrations or MAC address requirements
Another VMS set-up feature that eases the install process is the ability to forego device registrations or MAC address requirements. This functionality allows installers to instantly locate cameras on the network and configure them centrally so they can easily replace older cameras while seamlessly retaining video recorded from them.
The auto detection capability should also include the ability to detect and import CSV files, which can then be stored and used to configure camera templates for future camera installation profiles.
5) Smart Camera Driver Technology
VMS solutions with smart camera drivers offer valuable assistance during system implementation, and any time new cameras are added to the network or replace older models.
Manufacturer-specific smart camera drivers expand the range of model-specific static drivers. Instead of storing the device’s information (codecs, resolutions, frame rates, etc.) statically, a VMS with smart camera drivers queries devices for their capabilities using the manufacturers’ proprietary protocol. All that is required for configuration is that the camera is available on the network.
Smart camera drivers eliminate the need to wait for model-specific drivers or installation of driver packs, allowing for newly released cameras to be used immediately.
Network security is an area where leading VMS suppliers like OnSSI have ramped up development efforts to stay ahead of hackers
6) Importance Of Network Security
Network Security is perhaps the greatest challenge faced by industry professionals today
Network security is perhaps the greatest challenge faced by industry professionals today. This is an area where leading VMS suppliers like OnSSI have ramped up development efforts to stay ahead of hackers.
New security developments to look for include TLS 1.2 encryption protocols for camera-to-server communications (SSL 3.0 supported for older cameras), as well as server-to-server communications. Additional safeguards to consider include: randomized video databases with no camera identification information to secure recorded data; support for Active Directory authentication; AES encryption between servers and clients; and AES encrypted exporting.
7) Automatic Updates
Regardless of the supplier you select for your VMS solution, they should be consistently providing new updates and security patches on a frequent if not regular basis. Keeping up with these updates can be a burden and are often overlooked leading to system failures and breeches.
Advanced VMS solutions now feature automatic update service checks on a system-wide basis, eliminating the need to manually update individual servers and devices. This ensures that your VMS system always has the latest drivers, fixes and updates which assures overall security while reducing TCO.
So next time you’re getting a demo of the latest and greatest VMS solution, remember to ask what it offers in terms of design and implementation tools. Half the battle with new technologies is getting them installed and working properly. Without the right tools to accomplish these critical first steps, all the functionality in the world will do you little good.

Security beat

One of the biggest recent security divestitures in the news was the sale of Mercury Security to HID Global, which occurred around a year ago. The seller in that transaction was ACRE (Access Control Related Enterprises), also the parent company of Vanderbilt and ComNet. We recently spoke to founder and CEO Joe Grillo, a 30-year industry veteran, about the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market, ACRE’s future, and new opportunities opened up by the Mercury sale.
Q: What’s new with ACRE?
Grillo: We have an opportunity to have organic growth and to have some scale on a global basis to be a decent size player" ACRE is a company I founded in 2012, and since then we have had six acquisitions and one divestiture. We’ll never focus on ACRE as a brand, but we currently have more visibility of ACRE as a parent company with our two strong brands, ComNet and Vanderbilt. Last year was a very busy year [with the sale of Mercury Security to HID Global] because it takes as long to sell a brand as to buy one, maybe more so.
Q: What’s next?
Grillo: What you are seeing from us this year is that we are again in a buying mode. No announcement yet, but we expect one by the end of the year. We are well-funded, have great partners, and see an opportunity to continue to grow acquisitively as our highly fragmented space of access control continues to consolidate. From the standpoint of ACRE, with the ComNet and Vanderbilt brands, we are also doing more integration on the backside – not what the customer sees.
We will continue to grow toward a $200 million business. We were there when we owned Mercury, and we will get there again. We have an opportunity to have organic growth and to have some scale on a global basis to be a decent size player. Because ACRE are owned by a private equity company, we are brought into every opportunity: ComNet is a good example"
Q: Do you see the M&A market being more competitive – more companies looking to acquire?
Grillo: There’s a lot of money chasing not-so-many deals, so evaluations can get expanded. But as interest rates creep up, it is definitely a challenge to find the right valuation, the right financing and the right strategic fit. It is a very strategic market.
Q: There have been some big acquisitions lately. Were you guys involved at all in evaluating those opportunities?
Grillo: Because we are owned by a private equity company, we are brought into every opportunity. An example of that was ComNet. I would not have been aware that the founder passed away two years ago and that there was this opportunity to own the business. So we look at everything; anything that’s out there we look at. The biggest recent announcement in our world was S2 (being sold to UTC/Lenel), and, yeah, we looked at that.
It didn’t fit our profile – it was too expensive. Great business, and it’ll be interesting to see how it fits into the UTC environment. There was also Isonas [which was recently sold to Allegion], but the size didn’t add enough scale, but I like the technology.
ComNet sells communication networking solutions and products, which is more attractive than video systems for ACRE
Q: So what are you looking for in an acquisition?
Grillo: It’s hard for us to find something that moves the needle, and you have to find that right balance. Is it something we can digest and have the financing for, and also is there room on the back end? We are private equity-owned, so we know there will be an exit for our investors, too. So we have to find the right balance, good valuations, the right size and digestible. If you look at our acquisitions, we have done two “carve outs.”
The Vanderbilt name didn’t exist until we bought the business from Ingersoll Rand, and then we bought the [intruder] business from Siemens. That’s how Vanderbilt came about. You get a lot of value when you carve out a business, but there’s a lot of work. In the case of Mercury or Access Control Technology (ACT) that we acquired; they were growing and profitable but they stretch your finances a lot more. So you have to find the right mix in there.
Q: Does video interest ACRE at all?
Grillo: We have to find the right balance, good valuations, the right size and digestible"ComNet is our video play. ComNet sells communication networking solutions and products, and 70 to 80 percent of that is used for video systems. But unlike cameras, which don’t interest us, it’s actually good margins, highly specialized repeat business and with good channel partners. So where are we going to play? Cameras – no (because of commoditization). We have some recorder technology (from the Siemens acquisition) and we have the communication networking technology (with ComNet).
On the software side, we have looked at a lot of the VMS companies, and a lot of them have been on the market. But the valuation expectations can be high because they are software companies. And we really believe in partnering as a good thing, too. If we integrate to Milestone or Salient or some of these companies, we will never lose an access control client because they chose a particular VMS.
Q: ACRE is also looking to grow organically, isn’t it?
Grillo: From a technology perspective, we are a product company and we are continuing to bring new products to the market with the ComNet communication networking business and the access control business. And in Europe, we have a third leg of the stool, which is the very successful intrusion and burgular alarm business we acquired from Siemens (SPC products now sold under the Vanderbilt brand). That business continues to do well and is now one of the highest performing segments in our portfolio.The intrusion and burgular alarm continues to do well and is now one of the highest performing segments in our portfolio"
Q: But you don’t have to own a company to make it part of your solution.
Grillo: An important word is integration. We have to integrate to all the wireless locks. We have to integrate to the VMS systems. But we don’t have to own them.
Q: How has the Mercury Security divestiture impacted the rest of your business?
Grillo: It has opened up the opportunity for us to look at Mercury partners as possible acquisition targets without worrying about conflicts with the very good business of Mercury. We have more flexibility now compared to the Mercury era.
Q: How will the economic cycle impact the security market?
Grillo: Interest rates are a much bigger issue than the overall economic cycle. We talk a lot about it with our owners – clearly interest rates are tightening up. If you go out to do acquisitions or to borrow money to do something with your business, it will be tougher than it was two years ago, and it may get worse in the next two years. Security is less impacted by the economic cycle than some industries.

The Global Security Exchange (GSX) seems smaller this year, which is not surprising given the absence on the show floor of several big companies such as Hikvision and Assa Abloy (although their subsidiary HID Global has a big booth). A trend affecting the number of companies exhibiting at GSX 2018, and other trade shows, is industry consolidation, which is impacting the show even beyond the fewer exhibitors this year in Las Vegas. GSX is the new branding for the trade show formerly known as ASIS.
There was an impressive crowd of visitors waiting for the show floor to open Tuesday morning; the conference part of the program began on Monday. After the attendees filed through the doors, the foot traffic seemed brisk throughout the morning, and was somewhat steady until the end of the first day. Exhibitors as a whole seemed pleased with the first day and cautiously optimistic about the rest of the show.
Acquisitions And Consolidation
HID Global announced on the first day that they will acquire Crossmatch - emphasizing the impact of consolidationEmphasising the impact of consolidation on the industry as a whole, and on this show, was an announcement from HID Global on the first day that they will acquire Crossmatch, a biometric identify management and secure authentication solutions provider. It’s a comparatively large acquisition for the company specializing in trusted identity solutions.
Just days earlier, another acquisition also seemed to confirm the trend when UTC Climate, Controls and Security — the owner of Lenel — announced an agreement to acquire S2 Security.
The fruits of another recent acquisition was on display at the GSX 2018 hall, where Isonas took its place near the front entrance as part of the Allegion booth, just three months after the global security provider acquired the ‘pure IP access control company.’
Isonas is well positioned in two of the three fastest growing segments of the access control market — IP hardware, which is growing 41 percent per year globally, and access control as a service, or ‘cloud’ technology, which is also outpacing the overall access control market. Allegion also has the third fast-growing segment, wireless locks, covered with its Schlage brand.
"New Avenues Of Growth"
The early days of new ownership is opening fresh opportunities for both organizations as Allegion seeks to leverage Isonas’ intellectual property and the smaller company finds new avenues of growth in the larger organization, says Rob Lydic, Isonas Global Vice President of Sales. Motorola joined Avigilon in a higher profile role at their booth, emphasizing consolidation in the industry
Lydic sees a likelihood of additional acquisitions in the near future in the security space, given the large amount of capital currently available to be deployed, and the large number of entrepreneurial companies looking to make the leap, as Isonas did, from a small booth at the back of the hall to front-and-center as part of a big industry player.
Another reflection of consolidation: Motorola Solutions is taking a much higher-profile role in the Avigilon booth. In addition to signage, ownership by Motorola is also impacting the Avigilon product offerings. For example, the Motorola Ally security incident management and communications system has been integrated with Avigilon’s analytics-based event detection, and is being positioned to serve the enterprise market.
The system simplifies security operations with a single platform that allows access to critical data, including video and access control systems, directly from any web-enabled device.
Another reflection of consolidation: Motorola Solutions is taking a much higher-profile role in the Avigilon booth
Avigilon is displaying Motorola Solutions’ CommandCenter Aware integrated with Avigilon’s systems for use with public safety applications to provide dispatchers and intelligence analysts with video feeds, incident details, alerts, data mapping and responder location.
Avigilon has also integrated its AI-driven Appearance Search technology with its Access Control Manager system, so video searches can be performed based on a badge credential. The system can automatically pull up any information, whether video or events in the access control system, based on the badge information. It can also be used to search for lost badges, or to view where a person is located in the building.
Avigilon introduced an AI appliance that allows existing cameras to be integrated with Appearance SearchThe company introduced an AI appliance that allows existing (non-Avigilon) cameras (up to 20 two-megapixel cameras) to be integrated with Appearance Search. Also, the next generation of analytics allows detection of more things, such objects a person may be holding, or detection based on what they are wearing.
The Growth Of The Cannabis Market
Although attendees at GSX are generally understood to be more end users than integrators, Joe Grillo, CEO of ACRE, the parent company of Vanderbilt Industries and ComNet, says he sees little difference in attendees at GSX compared to the ISC West show in the spring. “We see all our resellers here,” he says. Grillo noticed that Day One booth traffic was “not consistently busy, but steady.”
Grillo says ACRE expects to be active again soon in the mergers and acquisitions market. The company has grown through six acquisitions since its founding, and has had one divestiture (when it sold Mercury Security to HID last fall). Since selling Mercury, ACRE has been ‘back in the buying mode,’ just looking for the right opportunity, says Grillo. New markets are a theme at GSX, and one of the biggest new opportunities is the cannabis industry. Marijuana has been legalized in dozens of U.S. states, and Canada is on the verge of legalizing the drug.
March Networks works with multiple cannabis operators to provide video solutions, point-of-sale transaction data, and customer analytics
March Networks is among the companies targeting the cannabis industry in a big way. Already across the U.S., March Networks works with multiple cannabis operators to provide video solutions, point-of-sale transaction data, and customer analytics. The business intelligence solutions also aid compliance in the highly-regulated industry.
March Networks provides radio frequency identification (RFID) tag to track plants throughout the channel, and tracking is integrated with video systems to provide correlated video views. A couple of exhibitors mentioned to me the need for commercial companies to deploy a comparable level of automation as their employees are accustomed to in the smart home environment. That suggests a need for things such as smartphone integration and voice commands.
One exhibitor putting its toe in the water is Hanwha Techwin, which showed an Amazon Echo device used to control a video management system (VMS) with voice commands.
Could the simple integration be a preview of the future of control rooms, where security officers merely talk to their equipment rather than operating controls? We’ll be talking to more companies (and maybe a few machines) on Day Two of the show, and will be reporting what we hear.

As Internet of Things (IoT) devices go, networked video cameras are particularly significant. Connected to the internet and using on-board processing, cameras are subject to infection by malware and can be targeted by Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. Hacking of cameras also threatens privacy by allowing unauthorized access to video footage. The performance of hacked cameras can be degraded, and they may become unable to communicate properly when needed.
Ensuring cybersecurity is a challenge, and the fragmented structure of the video surveillance market contributes to that challenge. A variety of companies are involved in manufacturing, integrating, installing and operating video systems, and cybersecurity threats can enter the picture at any stage.
“It’s not always clear who is responsible,” says Yotam Gutman, vice president of marketing for SecuriThings, a cybersecurity company. “However, the only entities who can ensure cybersecurity are the security integrator and the service provider. They will bear the financial pain and are willing to pay for cybersecurity. An extra $1 or $2 per camera per month is not expensive.”
SecuriThings’ “lightweight software agent” runs in the background of video cameras, sending information to an analytics system in the cloud
IoT Device Security Management
At the recent IFSEC trade show in London, SecuriThings unveiled its IoT Device Security Management (IDSM) approach to enable integrators to ensure cybersecurity. Founded in 2015, the company has around 20 employees in Tel Aviv, Israel, and operates a sales office in New York City.
SecuriThings’ “lightweight software agent” runs in the background of video cameras, collecting metadata on camera processes and connections and sending information back to an analytics system in the cloud. Drag-and-drop deployment enables a camera to begin generating data within seconds and requiring only two mouse clicks.
The cloud system analyzes data, pinpoints abnormalities, identifies new users, detects multiple entry attempts and tracks other camera processes to identify any cyberattacks. It monitors all devices, gateways, users and APIs to detect threats in real-time and mitigate the threats based on a pre-determined security policy. Machine learning tools also analyze more subtle activities that can indicate insider abuse. For example, a user support center can identify if cameras are being accessed improperly by employees, thus preventing insider abuse.
Certified Vendor Agnostic Software
SecuriThings is working with camera manufacturers and video management system (VMS) manufacturers to certify operation of its software agents with various camera models and systems.
Working through integrators, such as Johnson Controls, is the fastest route to market, SecuriThings has determined. The system can be added after the fact to existing installations for immediate monitoring and remediation, or it can easily be incorporated into new systems as they are launched. “We have a strong sales team in the United States focusing on bringing the technology to more local and national integrators,” says Gutman. Certification ensures SecuriThings’ software agent can be installed in most modern camera models without negatively impacting operation; the software is vendor agnostic.
Another eventual route to market is to work with camera manufacturers to install the SecuriThings software agent in cameras at the factory. In this scenario, the system can easily be “clicked on” when cameras are installed.
The SecuriThings cloud system generates a dashboard that tracks system activities to identify any cybersecurity threats
IoT Security Operations Center
SecuriThings operation is transparent to the VMS, and the company works with VMS manufacturers to ensure the code operates seamlessly with their systems. Cloud analytics generate a dashboard that tracks system activities, and/or a managed service monitors the system and notifies customers if there is a problem.
“We monitor it from our IoT Security Operations Center, a fully managed service that ensures the real-time detection and mitigation of IoT cyber-threats,” says Gutman. “We found that end-customers don’t have the manpower to monitor the system, so our experts can guide them.”Access control and cloud-based access control will be the next systems under cyberattack, and they are almost as vulnerable"
A benefit for camera manufacturers is the ability of a system like SecuriThings to “level the playing field” on issues of cybersecurity, says Gutman. The approach provides a higher level of cybersecurity confidence for integrators and users, including those using cameras that have previously had cybersecurity problems such as “back door” access. SecuriThings has certified its software for use with Hikvision cameras and is in the process of certifying with Dahua, says Gutman.
“Western manufacturers say their products are more secure, but we can help all camera manufacturers prove that they are just as secure,” says Gutman. “Integrators and users can log into a device and see all the activity.”
Securing Connected Devices From Cyber Threats
Beyond video, SecuriThings’ products target the full range of connected devices in the Internet of Things (IoT). The SecuriThings security solution enables real-time visibility and control of IoT devices deployed in massive numbers in smart cities, physical security, building automation, home entertainment and more. Video surveillance is an early focus because of market need, an opportunity to gain traction, and the critical nature of security applications. But the challenges are much broader than video surveillance.
“We are seeing similar risks to other devices,” says Gutman. “Access control and cloud-based access control will be the next systems under cyberattack, and they are almost as vulnerable. If you can disable the access control system, you can cause a lot of problems.” Other connected devices that could be at risk include building automation and heating and cooling (HVAC) systems.

Case studies

3xLOGIC, Inc., a provider of integrated, intelligent security solutions, and a three-time Deloitte Technology Fast 500 winner, working alongside Sonitrol of Fort Lauderdale, is pleased to announce the completion of a highly-anticipated security system upgrade for Junior Achievement of South Florida (JASF) at the organization’s JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion (JA World). JA World is located on the Broward College North Campus in Coconut Creek, Florida.
With over 60,000 square feet of learning areas, rentable meetings rooms, and the Huizenga Catering Kitchen, JA World is the largest Junior Achievement facility in the world. Each year, more than 21,000 5th grade and 20,000 8th grade students from Broward and south Palm Beach counties visit the facility.
The 5th graders learn basic economic concepts, workplace skills, and personal and business finances in a simulated city built for young students; the 8th graders focus on how their educational choices will impact their future earning potential, managing a budget and learn about high growth industries to help spark their career exploration.
The initial security system included remotely managed access control, verified audio intrusion detection, and analog camerasRequirement Of IP Camera Technology
“Each day, 450 students participate in JA BizTown and JA Finance Park simulations at JA World. Their safety and the safety of our volunteers, staff, and guests is of the utmost concern to us,” said Laurie Sallarulo, President & CEO, JASF.
Sonitrol of Fort Lauderdale started working with JASF in 2008, in the early design/build phase of the facility, and through its completion in 2009. The initial security system included remotely managed access control, verified audio intrusion detection, and analog cameras. At the time, IP cameras were considered too expensive.
“Previously, we had 18 analog cameras on the system,” explained Leni Smith, Director of Operations for JASF. “As time went on, it was clear that we needed to bring more areas inside and outside the building under surveillance, we wanted to access more cutting-edge IP camera technology, and we wanted to have all our surveillance under one Video Management System (VMS).”
Installation Of 3xLogic Hybrid NVR
Sonitrol of Fort Lauderdale installed a 3xLOGIC hybrid NVR, enabling JASF to protect their analog camera investmentWorking in tandem, Sonitrol of Fort Lauderdale and 3xLOGIC designed a system upgrade that, through a combination of discounts and donations, JASF could afford. It also helped that John Ray, President of Sonitrol Fort Lauderdale, is a long-time, active JASF Board member.
In order to fit JASF’s budget, Sonitrol of Fort Lauderdale installed a 3xLOGIC hybrid NVR, enabling JASF to protect their analog camera investment, while adding in higher-resolution IP cameras for expanded coverage. The hybrid solution also creates a migration path, allowing JASF to continue improving visibility with new IP cameras over time as their budget allows.
“As part of ongoing security and safety improvements, our staff participates in an annual active shooter training,” explained Monica McNerney, VP Operations, “and during those trainings, two things became clear. We needed to cover more areas with surveillance, and we needed to partner more closely with local law enforcement to give them real-time access to our system in case of an emergency.”
Viewing Discrete Areas With VIGIL Software
JASF has a number of discrete areas under surveillance and manages to view them through use of the 3xLOGIC VIGIL server softwareJASF has a number of discrete areas under surveillance and manages to view them through use of the 3xLOGIC VIGIL server software. These include the reception area, two loading dock areas, other exterior doors, their large meeting rooms, and the student areas, known as JA BizTown and JA Finance Park, where 450 young people spend most of their time each day at JA World.
The receptionist controls public access to the building by viewing who is requesting entry, and buzzing that person in. The receptionist also monitors the loading dock area and notifies the appropriate staff member when a delivery has arrived.
Leni Smith, who manages day-to-day security matters, reviews video after an incident is reported to her. “I really like how with the upgraded system, I can use motion detection alarms to hone in on exactly the video I need to review—I bet we’ve cut the time for review easily in half, if not more. I also really value how I can draw a box in a camera view and zoom into that area easily and quickly to find out exactly what happened.”
Working With Community Partners
We work very closely with our community partners to help them understand and access our facility and security system"Monica McNerney expanded on how the upgraded system is positively impacting another aspect of the JASF security program. “We work very closely with our community partners like Broward College security and local law enforcement to help them understand and access our facility and security system. We also routinely ask for their expert feedback on whether we’re managing our security effectively.
“So far, they’ve told us we’re doing exactly what we need to be doing, and they’re excited about the expanded access they have to our camera views, although we hope that no event ever warrants that need.”
TotalGuard Solution For Emergency Situations
Jennifer Thomas, Vice President of Operations for Sonitrol of Fort Lauderdale, also discussed continued improvements that are planned for JA World. “We are actively designing phase II of the camera upgrade, which will include improved coverage and image clarity for camera views outside the front doors.
TotalGuard allows JASF personnel to alert the Sonitrol central station and transmit real-time audio and video to the monitoring center
“We are also ready to deploy our latest technology for the main lobby area—TotalGuard. TotalGuard is a great solution for emergency situations, it allows JASF personnel to alert the Sonitrol central station and transmit real-time audio and video to the monitoring center, for prioritized verified police response.”
Sallarulo had a final thought on how things have been going with the system upgrade, “As for Sonitrol of Fort Lauderdale, they always provide us an amazing response. As a non-profit, we could not do what we do without the help of partners like Sonitrol. We are very grateful for their support and service.”

Sony 4K security cameras act as ‘intelligent eyes’ at EDGE Olympic, one of Amsterdam’s most technologically advanced sustainable buildings. The rugged minidome cameras give a clear picture of the flow of workers and visitors into and around the premises. In addition, their excellent low-light sensitivity is an asset for the reinforcement of security at entrances and car parking areas.
Playing a key role in EDGE Olympic’s intelligent design are thirteen Sony SNC VM772R 4K minidome cameras
EDGE Olympic is an exciting landmark in sustainability. Opened in May 2018, the building constructed by EDGE offers over 11,000m2 of innovative co-working space close to Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium. Providing a creative and energy-efficient workspace for commercial tenants, the building’s design is focused on a sophisticated digital infrastructure that connects people, devices, sensors and information via a secure cloud platform.
Sony SNC VM772R 4K Minidome Cameras
Playing a key role in EDGE Olympic’s intelligent design are thirteen Sony SNC VM772R 4K minidome cameras installed by Netherlands security specialist, Lancker Wolters. The cameras are integrated with Genetec’s video management system to create a comprehensive video security and monitoring solution.
Ruggedly built for all-weather outdoor operation around the clock, the SNC VM772R camera features a large, highly sensitive 1.0-type back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor. Offering four times higher resolution than Full HD, the camera is capable of capturing smooth, crisply detailed 4K video in conditions of near darkness. This allows people and objects to be seen clearly in a wide range of lighting conditions – and thus helps to ensure round-the-clock safety and security of employees, co-workers and visitors to the building.
Video Data In Building Operations Optimization
In the future, it is expected that video data will also be used to optimise building operations
In the future, it is expected that video data will also be used to optimize building operations. For example, intelligent analysis of traffic patterns could enable more efficient room bookings and use of resources such as heating, lighting and cleaning services.
Further, SNC-VM772R cameras monitor the EDGE Olympic car park, scanning the registration license plates of vehicles and checking the number against a database to admit authorized staff and visitors only, while automatically raising the barrier to let vehicles exit. This also allows instant confirmation whether a particular employee is present in the building: this overview can be beneficial, for example, in the event of an emergency evacuation.
Sony 4K Surveillance Cameras
"The initial price of a particular camera doesn’t matter" comments Erik Ubels, CTO, EDGE Technologies. "It’s the usability over its lifetime that makes it a better investment. That's why we chose Sony 4K cameras for this landmark building and other properties that we’re planning in the near future."

The retail industry is constantly looking to find new ways to be relevant in the ever-increasing shadow of online shopping. Researchers have predicted a 17.5 percent growth in the ecommerce share of global retail sales in 2021, rising from 13.7% in 2019. When designer brand Miniso opened new shops in Poland, they used Hikvision technology to give them the edge.
The management team at Miniso had a number of specific questions they needed answers to in order to make the stores successful in the cut-throat high street environment.
Best-Selling Products
They resorted to sending people to individual stores to manually count the people – a very time-consuming and costly exercise
How do we know if our marketing strategy is working? What is the conversion rate of purchases? What are the ‘hot areas’ of the store, and do these actually represent best-selling products? Originally, with no access to significant information, they relied on experience and conversation with staff. But there was no way to verify these findings.
They also needed to be able to get this information remotely – i.e. management in their HQ in Warsaw wanted to be able to see the situation in the other four stores without having to visit them separately. Sometimes, they resorted to sending people to individual stores to manually count the people – a very time-consuming and costly exercise.
Tailor-Made Solution
Miniso turned to Hikvision AI products, with a solution built by Polish reseller Volta, including people counting cameras, fisheye cameras and NVRs. These were all coordinated using the HikCentral software platform.
A people counting camera in each store counts people passing by, while another counts people entering and leaving. With this tailor-made solution management could calculate how many people were passing by to see a purchasing conversion rate. This also helps them to know whether marketing strategy is working. They can analyze the information further to see whether the rate of people entering the store is dropping, and whether that relates to the number of those passing outside. Miniso’s management can then look into the causes of these numbers, along with sales figures, to form a picture. For example, whether there is an external factor affecting shoppers either to pass by, or to enter.
Video Management Platform
The professional video management platform allows managers to access the information from different offices and mobile applications anywhere
Because Miniso have the same technology set up in all the stores in Poland, they can compare different locations. This also comes in useful when it’s time to negotiate rent with shopping malls. Using ceiling installation of several fisheye cameras, the system can generate heat maps. This helps managers to see where ‘hot areas’ are, helping them to allocate products in the optimal place for promotion. Hot areas can also be compared with sales figures to provide further insights into shopping patterns.
All the information provided by the system is coordinated, and business information on both layout and original image can be overlaid in Miniso’s HQ in Warsaw. The professional video management platform allows managers to access the information from different offices and mobile applications anywhere. This makes life a lot easier for the operations team as they need to check the situation in all stores.
Fiercely Competitive Environment
It also means that everything can be viewed simultaneously, so they can identify trends throughout the network of stores. Byron Zeng, Vice President of Miniso Poland, says: “The high accuracy of conversion rate the solutions provides really solves a number of our management issues. We can now easily see what’s going on in the other stores, including heat mapping, which makes management of the whole networks so much more efficient.”
This is a great example of how AI surveillance products can change the landscape of business decision-making. In a fiercely competitive environment, like a shopping mall or high street, shopping trend data can help a retailer to survive. In fact, this worked so well for Miniso, they decided to use the solution in their stores across the whole of Europe – potentially about 200 stores in the next year.

A 300-plus camera city center video surveillance scheme in Lincoln has been installed and commissioned using cameras, monitors and switching equipment from Dahua Technology.
The previous analog-based CCTV system was more than 20 years old and had become expensive to maintain, so City of Lincoln Council decided to replace the analog cameras and transmission equipment with HD digital equipment. The total cost of ownership has been reduced by the savings made on legacy fiber lease costs, as well as reduced energy consumption and the ability to configure and maintain the cameras remotely.
Installation Of IP Full HD System
The installation of the new IP full HD system and network is part of Lincoln’s smart city strategy – Vision 2020The design of the new all-wireless encrypted system was based around delivering flexible technology, reducing the total cost of ownership, ease of installation, lower maintenance requirements, smart edge analytics and remote connectivity. Environmentally friendly aspects of the project included specifying lower-energy equipment, integrating remote support and recycling hardware wherever possible. The council employed independent consultants Lever Technology Group to help them ensure they had a robust and future-proof radio network design.
The installation of the new IP full HD system and network is part of Lincoln’s smart city strategy – Vision 2020 – which seeks to drive innovation in the city and harness new technologies to improve the lives of citizens. One of the results is the provision of free Wi-Fi in the city, working alongside the Dahua cameras using the same IP wireless network.
Bandwidth Efficiency Using H.265 Compression
A combination of fixed and PTZ cameras were installed over a new 1GB duplex network. These include cameras from the Dahua Pro series, which features high image quality, bandwidth efficiency using H.265 compression and excellent low-light performance. Bullet cameras from the Ultra series – with powerful optical zoom, IR distances of up to 50 metres and software which supports people-counting and heat-mapping – were also installed.
The design of the scheme incorporated both camera and server-side analytics with legacy motion and audio detection
The bandwidth efficiency of the cameras meant that multiple cameras could be installed in any given position, providing 360° coverage of locations and up to 20 Megapixels of video capacity per location – compared with less than 400,000 pixels with the previous analog cameras.
The design of the scheme incorporated both camera and server-side analytics, including video content analytics, facial recognition, ANPR, heat maps and pedestrian counting, as well as legacy motion and audio detection. The objective of the facial recognition aspect is to support operators in areas such as the search for missing and vulnerable individuals.
PoE Switches For Providing Power
The superior image quality of the new system is borne out in figures which show an increase in ‘actionable’ images from 5% with the previous system to 60% successful reviews with the new one. Dahua PoE switches were also installed to provide power to the cameras, which are then connected to a layer-2 network.
A new video wall comprising ten Dahua DHL49-4K LED backlit 49-inch 4K Ultra HD video wall display units featuring industrial level wide-viewing LCD panels, was fitted into a newly refurbished control room in City Hall and connected to i-Comply wonderwall video display drivers.
This is a great collaboration of key project partners that have a tried-and-tested pedigree and working relationship with Videcom Security"Supplied through authorized distributor Mayflex, the entire system was installed by public space CCTV specialists Videcom Security, which worked with other partners to provide a high-performance, efficient and feature-rich system.
Cost-Effective And Reliable Equipment
Bill Mead, Managing Director at Videcom Security, said that working largely with Dahua video equipment meant it was easier for engineers in terms of configuration, as well as being cost-effective and representing good value for money. “Working with the Dahua product range has been great. The products have proved to be reliable and we experienced very few problems, from the initial configuration through to installation and commissioning.
“This is a great collaboration of key project partners that have a tried-and-tested pedigree and working relationship with Videcom Security. We broke new ground with the development of 4K H.265 decoding, the support through Luxriot for camera-side analytics and edge recording, and the development by Dahua of camera-to-camera communication, allowing for non-connected systems to communicate locally.”
Infinet 5GHz And Siklu E And V Band Radios
Videcom Security is a certified Dahua Integration Partner, training for which was delivered both by Dahua and the Mayflex AcademyDahua is a solution provider in the global video surveillance industry and associated technology and has a keen focus on innovation by investing heavily in research and development. For the Lincoln city scheme, its products were selected based on their performance and cost-effectiveness to meet project budgets. Videcom Security is a certified Dahua Integration Partner, training for which was delivered both by Dahua and the Mayflex Academy. This helped Videcom negotiate key firmware enhancements, which added to many of the analytical features available in each of the cameras.
The wireless network is built with Infinet 5GHz and Siklu E and V band radios. Resilience and diverse routing has been built into the network design, which supports video surveillance as well as public Wi-Fi and capacity for smart city services. Luxriot have worked closely with Dahua, supplying their Evo Global video management system and supporting edge analytics integration through their ‘events and actions’ management, which has also been integrated through to i-Comply’s VTAS CRVMS software (now rebranded as Viewscape).
Real-Time Control And Video Streaming
The Dahua system implemented by Videcom Security provides the main elements of our tier-1 solution"The introduction of H.265 compression was ground-breaking for such a project, with the system capable of displaying 4MP and 6MP H.265 to the operator’s spot monitor with real-time control and video streaming. “The Dahua system implemented by Videcom Security provides the main elements of our tier-1 solution,” said Martin Byrne, CCTV Team leader at Lincoln City Council. “The police are extremely pleased with the system and we’ve had very positive feedback from them.
“There is really no comparison from how we operated previously to how we can now. It revolutionizes how we manage the CCTV systems and data. The potential for what we can achieve going forward is remarkable. We have now started to get real results from the investment in analytics; in particular vehicle and people-counting has been deployed and data is used to enhance other city projects.”
Martin added: “Dahua has taken time out to visit and discuss with us our ambitions for smart city services. We have adopted Dahua as our brand of choice for CCTV cameras and have so far been very pleased and impressed with their reliability, low-light performance and overall image quality.”

On December 11 to 16, 2018, the 14th FINA World Swimming Championships was held at the Olympic and International Expo Center in Hangzhou, China. Nearly 1,000 world swimming stars from 178 countries and regions competed here, creating a new glory with breaking 9 world records and 22 event records. The Chinese team won three gold medals, five silver medals and five bronze medals with the total medal number ranking the third in the world.
The World Swimming Championships is one of the world's highest-level international swimming events. It is also the highest-standard individual international sporting event ever held in Hangzhou. For an international sporting event of this scale, the safety and security of the venues are of paramount importance.
Security Monitoring Equipment
As an important guarantee force for the security of the World Swimming Championships, Dahua Technology ensured the event’s safety with the host spirit and a great sense of responsibility. Dahua Technology once again shouldered the mission of guarding international events after successfully guaranteeing the G20 Hangzhou Summit.
Dahua Technology provided a complete set of professional intelligent security monitoring equipment and system solutions
In the periphery and outside of the venue, important entrances and exits, various passages and commanding points in the venues and security commanding headquarters, Dahua Technology provided a complete set of professional intelligent security monitoring equipment and system solutions, assisted the security department to establish security command headquarters, refined the security deployment of the venues and realized the full coverage of security monitoring from the periphery to the stadium and from the bottom to the commanding heights, facilitating the safe and smooth host of the 2018 Hangzhou FINA World Swimming Championships.
Intelligence Equipment
At the venue of the 2018 Hangzhou FINA World Swimming Championships - the surrounding area and interior of the Hangzhou Olympic and International Expo Center, Dahua Technology has teamed up to deploy a number of professional intelligent HD PTZ cameras, fiber cameras, bullet cameras, domes, transmission and other intelligence equipment, covering all areas within the venue, which helped the security department to control all corners inside and outside the stadium in real time so that to ensure the safety of the venue and the event.
Dahua Technology combined the requirements of ‘first-class venue facilities, first-class organization guarantee, first-class opening and closing ceremonies, and first-class city image’ in the Championships, focused on key links and built a set of intelligent security video management system with the support of advanced technology platform.
Integrated Control System
It integrated control system, storage and management, and enjoyed the advantages of simple deployment and operation, flexible combination, excellent performance, and a high level of security and stability. It turned the cameras inside and outside the stadium into ‘smart brains’ to guarantee the safety of every corner of the Championships, meeting the high-level security needs of the event.
Dahua Technology set the command and dispatch of the security department as the core
At the security command headquarters of the site, Dahua Technology set the command and dispatch of the security department as the core, with high-definition tiled LCD screens as the display carriers and brought more intuitive and flexible display and control to the security management of the venues before and after the event to ensure the real-time handling, efficient command and visual control of the entire venues, thus winning the praise of the security department leaders.
Display Control Equipment
On the evening of December 16, the 2018 FINA Annual Awards Ceremony was held at the Hangzhou International Expo Center. As a ceremony of the most authoritative awards, with the largest scale and the greatest number of world-class swimming athletes in the global water sports field, Dahua Technology assisted the security units to reuse a large number of equipment around the venue, including intelligent cameras, storage, management platforms and display control equipment, making sure the ceremony was successfully being held.
As an essential force in the escort 2018 World Swimming Championships, Dahua Technology actively devoted to the security work. Stationed professional and technical personnel were responsible for on-site equipment support, achieving zero failure of the equipment, successfully completion of the tasks, and winning the praise of the security department leaders.

Genetec Inc., a technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions announces that the South Grand Community Improvement District (CID) in St. Louis, Missouri is using the Genetec Stratocast cloud-based video monitoring system to deter license plate theft in its parking lot and provide video access to the local police department to help reinforce security.
License Plate Theft
One of the services offered by the South Grand CID is free parking. At any time of the day, drivers can park in a central parking lot to visit businesses or residents. While this lot has always been convenient and safe, license plate theft was troubling nearby areas.
Video recordings are sent over a wireless network which connects to the South Grand CID main office
To deter license plate theft in their own community, the South Grand CID board decided to add video surveillance to the lot. Currently, three cameras monitor the entire 90-space parking lot. Video recordings are sent over a wireless network which connects to the South Grand CID main office, just a few blocks away from the lot. With this cloud-based video monitoring system, Rachel Witt, Executive Director at South Grand CID, can quickly and easily view video from anywhere, at any time.
Cloud Video System
“Using the cloud video system, I am able to find and view the video in seconds. I can narrow down my search based on dates and time and watch the event unfold with all camera feeds up on the monitor. It’s really that simple,” commented Witt.
Only two weeks after installing the Stratocast video monitoring system, a visitor reported that their license plates had been stolen. “The visitor provided a description of the car, and a timeframe in which the incident likely happened. Using the Stratocast system, I was able to find and view the video in seconds. I could clearly see the suspect enter the lot, remove the plates and leave in his own car. Since the police are very busy here, I was able to bookmark the video recording and then notify them that the video was ready,” said Witt.
View Video Recordings
Stratocast has made it easy for the South Grand CID to give video access to local police so that when a crime is reported in the district, officers can immediately begin to conduct investigations without leaving their desks.
While the South Grand CID manages and owns the Stratocast solution, officers can log into the system and view video recordings when required
While the South Grand CID manages and owns the Stratocast solution, officers can log into the system and view video recordings when required. This is enabled by the Genetec Federation feature, which gives an organization access to manage multiple independent Genetec systems as one. A memorandum of understanding was signed so each parties’ responsibilities are clear.
Better Sense Of Safety
“Instead of driving over and picking up a DVD, officers can directly access video from our cameras to see what happened. Not only does it help speed up investigations, it saves officers’ valuable time,” continued Witt. The installation of Stratocast is not only helping to reduce license plate theft but it is also helping residents and visitors feel safer than ever.
“Business owners, residents, and visitors have a better sense of safety when they know cameras are up. But they also need to know that we’re equipped to respond quickly to any disturbance. And that’s what Stratocast helps us achieve. With the addition of Stratocast, we’re able to show everyone that we have strengthened the security in our community,” concluded Witt.

Round table discussion

The concept of how security systems can contribute to the broader business goals of a company is not new. It seems we have been talking about benefits of security systems beyond “just” security for more than a decade. Given the expanding role of technologies in the market, including video and access control, at what point is the term “security” too restrictive to accurately describe what our industry does? We asked the Expert Panel Roundtable for their responses to this premise: Is the description “security technology” too narrow given the broader application possibilities of today’s systems? Why?

They say that every choice has a cost. It's a basic principle that, economically speaking, nothing is free. If it doesn't cost actual money, it may be expensive in terms of time, attention and/or effort. These are interesting observations to keep in mind as one peruses the various "free" video management system (VMS) offerings available on the market. Some are provided by camera companies to unify their products into a "system", even if it's a small one. Other free VMS offerings are entry-level versions offered by software companies with the intent of the customer upgrading later to a paid version. For more insights, we asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the value of “free” video management systems (VMSs) and how can a customer decide whether “free” is the right price for them?

In the simplest terms, video systems capture and record video. But supporting these basic operations are a growing number of other functions that expand usefulness and the ability to interact with related elements in a larger system. As video system functionality expands, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the most important function of a video surveillance system and why?